Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsColorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: May 03, 2022 |
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 5 | 14 | 410 |
| Osprey | 2 | 6 | 51 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 1 | 59 |
| Northern Harrier | 1 | 6 | 36 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 9 | 13 | 86 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 1 | 12 | 194 |
| Northern Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 1 | 46 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 5 | 12 | 749 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 2 | 9 | 43 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 63 |
| Golden Eagle | 1 | 1 | 39 |
| American Kestrel | 1 | 7 | 333 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipiter | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unknown Raptor | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Total: | 28 | 84 | 2211 |
| Observation start time: | 08:15:00 |
| Observation end time: | 16:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 8.25 hours |
| Official Counter | Carol Cwiklinski |
| Observers: | Darcy Juday, Janet Peters |
Visitors:We had 12 visitors to the ridge today including two bird whisperers who
brought with them the only American kestrel of the count. Brenda Beatty
helped spot birds today. She enjoyed being back on the ridge.
Weather:We arrived to fog and mist. Later the fog lifted but a thick haze remained
for the entire day. It was cool with steady winds. Excellent cloud cover
helped us find birds. Storms threatened late in the count but stayed west
of us.
Raptor Observations:The raptor flight was slow but steady and birds flew remarkably low and
close to the ridge. We had excellent looks at many birds. Our last bird was
a beautiful immature peregrine falcon at eye level on the east.
Non-raptor Observations:A small flock of migrating blue jays and barn swallows were present as well
as the usual. Lots of hummingbirds were seen and heard.
Predictions:Stormy weather is possible tomorrow.
Report submitted by DAVID HILL (
)
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at:
http://www.dfobirds.orgMore information at
hawkcount.org: [
Site Profile] [
Day Summary] [
Month Summary]
Site DescriptionDinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawkwatch in Colorado and is the
best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may
be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged
Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see
resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to
migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and
Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks are uncommon; Northern
Goshawk is rare but regular. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes
Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White
Pelican or Dusky Grouse. Birders of any skill level are always welcome.
HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge is generally staffed by volunteers from about 9 AM
to around 3 PM from March 1st to May 7th.
Directions to site:From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under freeway and take left
into first parking lot, the Stegosaurus lot. Follow small signs from the
southwest end of lot to the hawkwatch site. The hike starts heading east on an
old two-track and quickly turns south onto a trail on the west side of the
ridge. When the trail nears the top of the ridge, turn left, head through the
gate, and walk to the clearly-visible, flat area at the crest of the ridge.
(Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)